Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's second largest national park extending over 10,000 kms of wooded hills and open plains. It is located in a unique transition zone, where East & Southern African fauna and flora overlap and with its vast, unspoiled wilderness, protecting a variety of species virtually unequaled in East Africa.
Ruaha is often considered the country's best-kept game viewing secret with few tourist venturing to the park. The dominant geographical feature of the park is the Ruaha River in the southeast area of the park, flowing for 160 kms. Ruaha has a very hot and dry climate and you should be prepared for very early morning game drives with rest time back at the camp during the heat of the day. Animals are impacted by the heat and often will find cooler shady places to rest during the heat of the day as well. Daytime temperatures at this time of the year are typically in the upper 90's and low 100s, but it cools down considerably at night. This particularly dry time of the year allows for some better game viewing, as the grass is low and easier to find predators, including wild dogs. Tanzania has the largest population of wild dogs in Africa, with over 1000 individuals recorded between Ruaha and the Selous. The Mwagusi River often is the territory for one large pack of wild dogs in particular. However, be prepared that the dogs remain difficult to find as they travel huge distances to hunt and the parks are very large.
In addition to wild dog, Ruaha provides opportunities to see the beautiful greater kudu, roan and sable antelopes. The sable in particular prefers the higher ground along the ridge, also a favorite habitat for the tsetse fly. We recommend patience and a good fly swatter! These tsetse do not carry sleeping sickness, but have a difficult bite. Ruaha is also famous for its large elephant herds, numbering more than 12,000 individuals migrating through the park. This is the largest population in any Tanzanian park. The park has 510 recorded species of birds with an interesting mix of northern and southern species. There are substantial populations of black-collared love birds and one of the few locations to hopefully see the crested barbet. Raptors are abundant with many bataleur and fish eagles throughout the park.
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